Malawian Mbuna 180 - PIC HEAVY

[cantrell00]

FULL TANK SHOTS

















Cynotilapia sp; 'Hara'



Labeotropheus Trewavasae 'Mpanga Red'



Cynotilapia Lion, 'Lupingu'



Psuedotropheus Demasoni



Metriaclima 'Msobo' Magunga, Female & Psuedotropheus Acei 'Msuli'



Metriaclima 'Msobo' Magunga, Male



Labidochromis Careleus, Lion's Cove Male



Labeotropheus Trewavasae "Mpanga Red'



Male Psuedotroheus Acei 'Ngara' & Male Metriaclima Msobo 'Magunga'



Metriaclima Msobo & Cynotilapia sp; 'Chinywazaki'

 

[Angler]

That's a great looking Mbuna tank.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[EricJ7182]

This is a beautiful set up. Def inspired me on how I should set up a 150 similar to this

 

[NormDawg]

This looks incredible. Beautiful tank!

 

[wrslrcichlid]

Tank looks awesome!!! Quick question: most people say to have as much rock work as possible in an mbuna tank, what was your reason for using "so little" (when talking about the percentage of tank space used by rocks - obviously you do have quite a bit of rock in there)? Also, are those real plants and if so what types? I have been thinking about adding some real plants to my 125g (with some haps, but mostly mbuna) but haven't quite pulled the gun on them yet. Do you do anything extra to keep them alive and looking good, any special lighting?

Thanks.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

Meant to also ask approximately how many fish you had in the tank (if you know)?

I would kind of like to start over with my 125g. Many of the fish are from the "hodgepodge" I started with when I didn't know about species groups and also didn't know about most of the species available. I have been able to sell off some of the random ones and build up some species groups, but there are just so many other species I would rather keep. I would just start another tank, but there is just no more room in our tiny 1 bedroom apartment. Your tank makes me jealous because you got some great species and their colors compliment each other well.

Also, is there a reason you didn't add any haps? Not criticizing, just curious. Again, the tank looks unbelievable.

 

[cantrell00]

That's a great looking Mbuna tank.

Thanks for sharing!

You are welcome.. Thanks for the compliments!

 

[cantrell00]

This is a beautiful set up. Def inspired me on how I should set up a 150 similar to this

Awesome.. Glad you like it..

 

[cantrell00]

This looks incredible. Beautiful tank!

Thanks!

 

[cantrell00]

Tank looks awesome!!! Quick question: most people say to have as much rock work as possible in an mbuna tank, what was your reason for using "so little" (when talking about the percentage of tank space used by rocks - obviously you do have quite a bit of rock in there)? Also, are those real plants and if so what types? I have been thinking about adding some real plants to my 125g (with some haps, but mostly mbuna) but haven't quite pulled the gun on them yet. Do you do anything extra to keep them alive and looking good, any special lighting?

Thanks.

As for the rocks, the main reason is because with mbuna, you typically find yourself having to remove subdominant fish. To remove them, you practically have to remove all of the rocks. It is true that only 20-30% of the tank space is occupied with rocks but that 20-30% equates to 300-400 lbs. I don't know if I could stand removing more than that each time. For pure aesthetics, I would prefer more rocks. It just isn't practical though. There is plenty of rock work relative to the number of species/groups though. Well, for now atleast.

The plants are just your run of the mill Amazon swords. There are two types in there that honestly, I can't recall. Nothing special on the lighting. Swords don't really require the light that are getting in my tank now. All of the light that I am running is to promote green, lush algae actually. It is getting there. Slowly.